Tagert: trade route safe, bike future likely bumpy

HERNANDO — Mississippi’s Northern District transportation commissioner says he expects federal cash to be tight for bicycle and pedestrian routes in coming years. But Mike Tagert says work will continue on the Interstate 69/269 International Trade Corridor.

The Commercial Appeal reports that Tagert spoke last week with a committee of the DeSoto Economic Development Council and American Society of Civil Engineers.

He says five trade corridor segments in Mississippi are under contract for about $160 million, and the last two will total another $160 million. One involves bridges over the Coldwater River in eastern DeSoto County, which he describes as environmentally sensitive.

I-269 is planned as a 30-mile bypass around Memphis through Tennessee and Mississippi, connecting to the I-69/I-55 corridor. Advocates say I-69 will stretch from Canada to Mexico and boost trade.